Chapter 4

I dreaded calling Lance the next day. I mean, what was I supposed to say? I didn’t think that saying, “Hey, you know that guy you like and that I said was perfect for you? Well, he doesn’t like you at all and actually wants to get in my pants,” would work at all. Somehow I got through the painful situation.

“You know what? Forget him Lance.” I urged him, as he quietly sniffed into the phone. “Why don’t you come with me to Josh’s concert tomorrow? There’ll be all kinds of gorgeous, intellectual men there.”

Lance just sniffed again and after a couple of more minutes I got him to agree. I got off the phone, mentally exhausted as Josh came through the door followed by Chris and Joey. He sat down on the couch and I followed him and splayed across the couch, laying my head in his lap.

“Comfort me.” I demanded.

Josh chuckled. “You brat,” he admonished as he began running his hands through my curls. “Talked to Lance, huh?” he asked as he grabbed a slice of pizza.

“Yeah. I convinced him to come to the concert tomorrow. Where’s the movie?”

“It’s right here.” Josh put the first Godfather movie in the DVD player and sat back down

Chris shook his head in mock disbelief. “I can’t believe that you couldn’t figure out that AJ wanted you. I mean, Kevin and I have been speculating on that for months.”

I scowled at Chris. “Shut up. It was so not obvious. I mean, he treated me the same way he treats everyone. He’s a flirt.”

Chris laughed at me. “Okay. If that’s what you want to believe. Yes, he is a flirt, but he paid a lot of extra attention to you. It was kinda obvious, J.”

I looked up at Josh. “I’m supposed to be getting comforted, and Chris is upsetting me, Josh. Make him stop.”

Josh rolled his eyes. “Like I said before. Brat.”

I stuck my tongue out at him playfully and answered, “And you love spoiling me. Now shut up so I can watch the movie.”

- - -

The next day I dragged Lance to Josh’s concert. Josh had two solos and I wanted to whistle and clap loudly for him and maybe even scream his name, but I remembered the lecture Josh had given me about proper Philharmonic concert etiquette when I was eighteen, so I just clapped politely with a wide smile on my face.

Afterwards there was a small party and we met up with Chris and Joey. There were a lot of rich good-looking men around and I tried to get Lance interested in one.

“Well, what about him?” I asked, pointing at an older gentleman talking to one of the violinists.

Lance frowned. “I don’t know. I think he’s a little old for me.”

“He’s not old. He’s distinguished. There’s a difference.”

“Well, then he’s too distinguished for me.”

I rolled my eyes. Lance was making this impossible. I was about to point out another guy when Brian Littrell came up to us. “Lance! I didn’t expect you to be here.”

Lance beamed. “Yeah, well, I’m here with a friend. You know Justin, right?”

Brian nodded and held out his hand. “Hi, Justin. You’re friends with the pianist, right?” I nodded and shook his hand cursorily, and then got back to man hunting with Lance, hoping that Brian’s presence wouldn’t discourage any potential suitors. I saw someone that I thought would be good for Lance but when I turned around he had gone off with Brian. I rolled my eyes again. They were probably off somewhere talking about the conversation rate of the yen. I grabbed another glass of champagne from a waiter walking by and was looking around for Josh when a voice by me ear stopped me.

“So, your friends left you, huh?” I turned around to see a gorgeous blond, his hair flopping into his eyes. He pushed his hair back revealing bright blue eyes that were fixed on me. I shivered. I had forgotten completely about fixing Lance up, now I was focused on catching this fine specimen for myself. He smiled. “Who are you here with?”

“A couple of friends. My roommate is the principal pianist.” I told him, looking up through my eyelashes.

“Oh, you’re roommates with Josh?”

I nodded, surprised. “You know Josh?”

“Yes, I’m a patron of the Philharmonic. He’s a very beautiful man, but you are even more so. Your girlfriend is a very lucky woman.”

I smiled at that. “Well, I’ve never had a girlfriend. And at this point, I don’t have a boyfriend either.”

His smile widened and he moved even closer. “Well, lucky me.” He stuck out his hand. “Nick Carter.”

I shook the offered hand. “Justin Timberlake.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Justin Timberlake.”

I opened my mouth to say something else, but Josh came up next to me. “Hey, Justin, you ready to go now? Brian is taking Lance home, and Chris and Joey left a minute ago.” He turned around and frowned at Nick.

“Well, hello Josh. You have a very engaging roommate.” Nick told him. If possible, Josh scowled even more.

“Yes, I’m sure you two were having a fascinating conversation, but we’re leaving now.” He looked at me pointedly, as to compel me to not argue with him. I sighed.

“Yeah, I’m ready. Go to the car and I’ll meet you there. Want to say goodbye to Nick.” Then it was my time to look pointedly at him. Josh conceded defeat and walked off. I looked at Nick and smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry about that. We grew up together and I’ve always been like a little brother to him, so sometimes he acts like an overprotective guard dog.”

Nick nodded. “Well, if I had someone as precious as you in my care, I’d be overprotective, too.” I couldn’t help blushing. He pulled out a business card and pen and scribbled on the back. “Here’s my card. On the back is my cell number.” He handed it to me, his fingers brushing against mine. “I really want to get to know you better, Justin.”

“I’d like to get to know you better also.” I agreed. We stared at each other for a minute and then I broke the stare. “I’ve got to go. Josh doesn’t have much patience.” We said goodbye and I could feel his eye on me as I walked away.

Chapter 5>>> [COMING SOON!!]
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